When planning an outdoor gym, there are several important factors to consider to ensure your project is a success:

Budget

This might be the most important part of the project. It will determine the size and amount of equipment you can add. For a government funded project, public funds or donations may contribute to the budget. For a private community, fees from the residents may cover the cost.

Location

The location of your outdoor gym is essential for attracting people to use it. You want to place it in a location that draws people’s attention and is convenient for those that want to use it. For a public park, place it near running and biking trails, where those that want to be active already are. However, another location might be near a playground for parents.

“By properly adding some fitness equipment for parents to get active while still maintaining site lines to supervise their children, this can be a win-win for all. Many parents might have to make the hard decision of placing their children in the gym daycare while they workout or sitting on a bench at a park while their kids play. Adding adjacent outdoor fitness equipment to a playground can allow both parents and children to get active. In this set up, it is best to have some separation between the playground and fitness area (sidewalk, fence, etc.) as fitness equipment for adults is designed for ages 13+ (per ASTMF3101-15) and playgrounds are traditionally for ages 2-12.” -Danny Flesher

Site Planning

The site you choose for your outdoor gym is another crucial step. You will want to consider things such as drainage in that area, as well as shade.

If you have some low areas where water might be present after an afternoon rain shower, you might need to add some fill dirt to raise up that area. It is best to have an area that slops downward to flow away from the fitness equipment.

If you have some natural shade, such as trees, this is a great area to add an outdoor gym, which could also save some money from your budget by not adding a standalone shade. But make sure the equipment is installed in a way that will not affect the root systems of the trees. But if natural shade is not an option, a standalone shade structure, such as a fabric shade, is a wonderful way to provide some relief from the sun.

Safety

Safety is also vital to those that will use the outdoor gym. It should be located to discourage vandalism. Providing lighting to the area can be a benefit on those overcast days but can also provide security.

Accessibility

You will also want to consider accessibility according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which includes not only access to the outdoor gym area but providing a ground surface suitable for those that might be use a mobility device.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Making sure you choose the appropriate equipment might be the most crucial aspect in your design phase. This includes having the right mix of equipment to offer users a full body workout, but there are also some other things to consider. The equipment should have attached instruction labels that let the user know how to effectively use the equipment. The equipment should also be designed to stand up to the local environments, whether that is sun, humidity, rain, or snow. Following the manufacturers’ maintenance requirements will help you get the most out of your outdoor gym.

It is also best to choose pieces that will give your users a full body workout, focusing on various muscle groups. There are also spacing requirements for each piece, to make sure there is sufficient room for operating the equipment safely. This is referred to as the “envelop.” There should be no obstructions in this area. The manufacturer should provide the correct envelope and use zones of each piece of equipment so that it is designed and installed properly.

Surfacing

Although we will not get too deep into the surface of the area, it should at least be accessible for users of all abilities. If you want to be in compliance with ASTM F3101-21a “Standard Specification for Unsupervised Public Use Outdoor Fitness Equipment”, then safety surfacing based on the critical fall height of the equipment should be used. Not all jurisdictions currently require compliance with ASTM F3101-21a. The Owner/Operator is ultimately responsible for making the final decision, based on local and state requirements.

Promoting Your Outdoor Gym

After you have gone through all the work of completing your outdoor gym, you need to let the public know it is now open! Having a grand opening and encouraging the community to see and use the equipment is a great way of doing this. You might also consider having some fitness trainers on-site to demonstrate and show the users how to use the equipment.

You should also consider promoting the outdoor gym even after opening day. If you are in a community, send out notices to your residents or place signs in common areas letting them know about the fitness area. For a public park, make sure your web site shows which parks have outdoor gyms and create ongoing campaigns promoting them! This will ensure that they are getting the maximum amount of use that you have planned for.